Devices and methods using swipe detection

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates devices and methods using swipe detection. A swipeable computer of the present invention comprises a capacitive detector having an output, a switchable magnetic field sensor having an output, a memory unit, and a logic unit. The memory unit stores a standard capacitance change and a standard magnetic field change. The logic unit is electrically connected to the capacitive detector output, the switchable magnetic field sensor, the switchable magnetic field sensor output, and the memory unit. The logic unit of the swipeable computer is adapted to determine if the capacitive detector output corresponds to the standard capacitance change, to enable the switchable magnetic field sensor if the change in capacitance corresponds to the standard capacitance change, and to determine if the switchable magnetic field sensor output corresponds to the standard magnetic field change.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/257,730 filed Apr. 21, 2014, and entitled “DEVICES AND METHODS USINGSWIPE DETECTION,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/974,524 filed Sep. 24, 2013, and entitled “DEVICES AND METHODS USINGSWIPE DETECTION,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cards using magnetic stripes, such ascredit cards and debit cards, and more particularly, to devices andmethods for swipe detection for use with swipeable computers havingdynamic magnetic stripes.

Magnetic stripe cards have been in use since the 1960s. Since that time,the formats for storing and reading information on magnetic stripe cardshave been standardized and the technology has been widely adopted. Someof the standards covering magnetic stripe cards include InternationalOrganization for Standardization (ISO) standards, ISO-4909, ISO-7810,ISO-7811, ISO-7812, ISO-7813, and ISO-8583. Based on these standards,millions of readers for magnetic stripe cards have been installed atmerchants, points of service, and other locations worldwide.

To improve the functionality of magnetic stripe cards and still takeadvantage of the installed base of card readers, cards using dynamicmagnetic stripes have emerged. These dynamic magnetic stripe cardsfunction with the currently installed base of magnetic card readers andhave several advantages including the ability to store and transmitinformation from multiple magnetic cards as well as the possibility forimproved security.

Dynamic stripes must produce a time-varying magnetic field thatduplicates the field produced by a non-dynamic stripe passing by theread-head. Creating this field requires energy and precise timing of thefield variations. The process of detecting that a card user is swiping adynamic card in a reader, along with the process of controlling theexact timing of the magnetic variations is collectively called “swipesense.”

The quality of the swipe sense is determined by three metrics: 1) thefrequency of “false alarms,” where the swipe sense falsely signals thata swipe is happening; 2) the accuracy of the timing (relative to readhead position) of the signal from the swipe sense electronics; and 3)the average continuous power required by the swipe sense electronics.

Because dynamic magnetic cards are often designed at or near thedimensions of a standard credit card, they have limited space for abattery or other power source. The present invention relates to devicesand methods for swipe detection that are used to reduce the powerconsumption associated with swipe detection in these devices withoutsubstantial degradation in the frequency of false alarms and timingaccuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for swipe detectionthat are used to reduce the power consumption associated with swipedetection without substantial degradation in the frequency of falsealarms and timing accuracy.

A swipeable computer of the present invention comprises a capacitivedetector having an output, a switchable magnetic field sensor having anoutput, a memory unit storing a standard capacitance change and astandard magnetic field change. The swipeable computer also includes alogic unit electrically connected to the capacitive detector output, theswitchable magnetic field sensor, the switchable magnetic field sensoroutput, and the memory unit. The logic unit of the swipeable computer isadapted to determine if the capacitive detector output corresponds tothe standard capacitance change, to enable the switchable magnetic fieldsensor if the change in capacitance corresponds to the standardcapacitance change, and to determine if the switchable magnetic fieldsensor output corresponds to the standard magnetic field change.

A method for detecting a swipe of a swipeable computer includes sensinga change in capacitance and determining if the change in capacitancecorresponds to a standard capacitance change. If the change incapacitance does not correspond to a standard capacitance change, themagnetic field sensor remains off. The method also includes enabling amagnetic field sensor if the change in capacitance corresponds to thestandard capacitance change. After the magnetic field sensor is enabled,the method includes sensing a magnetic field change. Next, the methodincludes determining if the magnetic field change corresponds to astandard magnetic field change.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which likereference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front and back view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe swipeable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cut-away view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe swipeable computer of the present invention showing certaincomponents of the swipeable computer.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the dynamic stripe of the swipeablecomputer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a capacitive detector of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method for detecting aswipe of a swipeable computer in a magnetic card reader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a front 100 and back 101 view of an exemplaryembodiment of the swipeable computer of the present invention. As seenfrom the front view 100, the swipeable computer may include a display102 and a button 103. The display 102 may be an electronic ink (e-ink),LCD, or other type of display. The display 102 is optimally a low-powerdisplay. The button 103 may be a mechanical contact button, a capacitivebutton, or other similar button. The swipeable computer of the presentinvention may have approximately the same dimensions as a traditionalcredit card or it may have other dimensions depending on the desiredapplication.

As seen from the back view 101, the swipeable computer may include adynamic stripe area 104 and a signature area 105. The signature area 105may be an area, similar to those in standard financial cards, for userauthorization of the swipeable computer.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cut-away view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe swipeable computer of the present invention. The figure illustratesan exemplary arrangement of the display 102, button 103, and dynamicstripe area 104 of FIG. 1 in the swipeable computer. In addition, FIG. 2also shows that the swipeable computer may contain a wirelesscommunication unit 200, a logic unit 201, a power source 202, and amemory unit 203. The arrangement of the components in FIG. 2 is merelyexemplary, and the components may be arranged differently according todesign needs.

The wireless communication unit 200 may use radio frequency such asBluetooth, near field communication (NFC), or Wi-Fi, or the wirelessunit 200 may use infrared or another transmission protocol. The logicunit 201 may be a processor, a programmable logic array, hardwiredlogic, or another similar logic device. While the logic unit 201 isdepicted in FIG. 2 as a single device, the logic unit of the presentinvention may comprise multiple devices and may be incorporated in othercomponents of the swipeable computer. The power source 202 is a battery,micro fuel cell, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the dynamic stripe 300 of theswipeable computer of the present invention. As show in the figure, thedynamic stripe 300 comprises a plurality of swipe detectors 301, 302 andone or more dynamic magnetic emulators 303, 304. The dynamic magneticemulators 303, 304 comprise coils that create time-varying magneticfields to communicate data to a magnetic card reader.

In the present invention, the swipe detectors 301, 302 each comprise acapacitive detector 305, 306. The capacitive detectors 305, 306 may belocated near the edges of the swipeable computer to better detect theinitiation of a swipe in a magnetic card reader. The swipe detectors301, 302 may include one or more switchable magnetic field sensors 307,308. The magnetic sensing for the magnetic field sensors 307, 308 may beintegrated into or use one or more of the coils.

Embodiments of the present invention may include the components shown inthe attached figures and described above. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, the swipeable computer of the present invention comprises adisplay 102, a button 103, a wireless communication unit 200, a powersource 202, a dynamic magnetic emulator 303, 304, a capacitive detector305, 306, a switchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308, a memory unit203, and a logic unit 201. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, an apparatus for detecting a swipe of a swipeable computer ina magnetic card reader comprises a capacitive detector 305, 306, aswitchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308, a memory unit 203, and alogic unit 201.

Each capacitive detector 305, 306 is sensitive to changes in capacitancedue to changes in the materials proximate to the swipeable computer.Thus, each capacitive detector 305, 306 is sensitive to a change incapacitance as the swipeable computer moves from open air into proximityof the materials of which magnetic card readers are made. The capacitivedetectors 305, 306 may comprise a standard capacitive sensor or a sensorspecially designed and/or fabricated to sense a change in capacitanceassociated with initiation of a swipe in a magnetic card reader. Thecapacitive sensor may be specially designed and/or fabricated byselecting dimensions and/or materials for the sensor that increase therelative change in capacitance sensed between the open air and theproximity of the magnetic card reader. Each capacitive detector 305, 306has an output, the value of which corresponds to the change incapacitance that the capacitive detectors 305, 306 detect. Eachcapacitive detector 305, 306 of the present invention may always be onsuch that it constantly detects changes in capacitance or it may beswitched by the button of the swipeable computer, by an integratedmotion sensor, or by some other means.

The logic unit 201 is electrically connected to the output of eachcapacitive detector 305, 306 and determines if the output corresponds toa standard capacitance change. The standard capacitance change is avalue, a range, a signal, a waveform, or the like that corresponds tothe expected change in capacitance caused by initiating a swipe of theswipeable computer in a magnetic card reader. The standard capacitancechange may be determined by recording and combining the output of one ormore of the capacitive detectors 305, 306 in one or more swipeablecomputers of the present invention resulting from swiping the swipeablecomputers in one or more standard card readers.

The standard capacitance change is stored in a memory unit 203 in theswipeable computer. The memory unit 203 may be a single device ormultiple devices and may be incorporated in other components in theswipeable computer. The logic unit 201 compares the capacitive detector305, 306 output to the standard capacitance change through analog ordigital means or a combination of the two. If the logic 201 unitdetermines that that the capacitive detector 305, 306 output correspondsto the standard capacitance change, then the logic unit 201 enables theswitchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308 for a period of time.

To conserve power, the switchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308defaults to inactive. But, as described above, the logic unit 201enables the switchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308 if it determinesthat that the capacitive detector 305, 306 output corresponds to thestandard capacitance change. Once the switchable magnetic field sensor307, 308 is enabled, it senses changes in magnetic fields. Theswitchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308 may be specially designedand/or fabricated to sense a magnetic field change associated with aswipe in a magnetic card reader. For example, the dimensions and/ormaterials of the switchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308 may be chosento be sensitive to the magnetic fields associated with the read heads ofmagnetic card readers. Each switchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308has an output that corresponds to the change in magnetic field that itdetects.

The logic unit 201 is electrically connected to the output of eachswitchable magnetic field sensor 307, 308 and determines if the outputcorresponds to a standard magnetic field change. The standard magneticfield change is a value, a range, a signal, a waveform, or the like thatcorresponds to the expected change in magnetic field caused by a swipeof the swipeable computer in a magnetic card reader. The standardmagnetic field change may be determined by recording and combining theoutput of one or more of the switchable magnetic field sensors 307, 308in one or more swipeable computers of the present invention resultingfrom swiping the swipeable computers in one or more standard cardreaders.

The standard magnetic field change is stored in a memory unit 203 in theswipeable computer. The logic unit 201 compares the switchable magneticfield sensor output to the standard magnetic field change through analogor digital means or a combination of the two. If the logic unit 201determines that that the switchable magnetic field sensor outputcorresponds to the standard magnetic field change, then it is probablethat a legitimate swipe of the swipeable computer in magnetic cardreader is taking place. In that case, the logic unit 201 initiates awrite sequence in which one or more of the dynamic magnetic emulators303, 304 communicates data to the magnetic card reader.

The system described above conserves power by only enabling theswitchable magnetic field sensors 307, 308, which have a relatively highpower consumption, for a period of time after the logic unit 201determines that the change in capacitance corresponds to that expectedfrom a swipe in a magnetic card reader.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a capacitive detector 400 of thepresent invention. The capacitive detector 400 may comprise one or morecapacitive sensors 401, 402. The output of the capacitive detector 400may include one or both of the outputs of the capacitive sensors 401,402 or a combination of the outputs. Using multiple capacitive sensorsallows the swipeable computer to more-accurately detect a swipe in amagnetic card reader.

For example, the output of a single capacitive sensor resulting from aswipe through a magnetic card reader may be very similar to the outputresulting from bringing the swipeable computer near the card reader ornear anything made of materials similar to those of the card reader. Butthe combined outputs of capacitive sensors that are offset from eachother in the swipe direction, like the capacitive sensors 401, 402 inFIG. 4, will differentiate a swipe from merely bringing the swipeablecomputer near a card reader or other similar materials.

In the example of FIG. 4, the capacitive sensor 402 will come close tothe card reader first and will detect and output a corresponding changein capacitance. Thereafter, the capacitive sensor 401 will come close tothe card reader and will detect and output a corresponding change incapacitance. But merely bringing the swipeable computer close to thecard reader or other similar materials without the swiping motion willcause a simultaneous change in the capacitive sensors 401, 402 and/or achange in one not followed at the expected time by a change in theother. Thus, the combination of the outputs of the capacitive sensors401, 402 can be compared to a standard capacitance change derived forthe arrangement of the capacitive sensors 401, 402 for improved accuracyin swipe detection.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method for detecting aswipe of a swipeable computer in a magnetic card reader. As shown inFIG. 5, the method includes sensing a change in capacitance. Thereafter,the method includes determining if the change in capacitance correspondsto a standard capacitance change. If the change in capacitance does notcorrespond to a standard capacitance change, the magnetic field sensorremains off. The method also includes enabling a magnetic field sensorif the change in capacitance corresponds to the standard capacitancechange. After the magnetic field sensor is enabled, the method includessensing a magnetic field change. Detecting the magnetic field change maybe accomplished using permanent magnets placed near the coil. The ironof the read head impinges on the static magnetic field of the permanentmagnets. This impingement causes the static field to become dynamic,which induces a current in the coil which the device detects. Next, themethod includes determining if the magnetic field change corresponds toa standard magnetic field change.

The step of sensing a change in capacitance of the above method mayinclude sensing capacitive changes with a plurality of capacitivesensors. Additionally, the step of sensing a change in capacitance mayinclude sensing capacitive changes with a plurality of capacitivesensors offset from each other in the swipe direction.

The devices and methods of the present invention may be used with a widevariety of magnetic card types. In one embodiment, the memory unit 203of the swipeable computer is adapted to store user account information.User account information can include the information typically stored onthe magnetic stripe of financial cards, gift cards, rewards cards,loyalty cards, hotel key cards, and the like.

In another embodiment, the display 102 of the swipeable computer showsthe card type for the user account information. For example, if theswipeable computer has user account information for a Visa card storedthereon, the display 102 displays the Visa logo. Alternatively, if theswipeable computer has information corresponding to a Hilton hotel roomkey card stored thereon, the display 102 displays a Hilton logo.

The swipeable computer of the present invention may store user accountinformation for a plurality of different accounts and/or cards. Forexample, the swipeable computer may store user account information formultiple credit cards and debit cards. In one embodiment, activating thebutton 103 of the swipeable computer toggles between the information foreach of the plurality of financial cards and makes the information forone of the plurality of financial cards active. The active card is theone for which the magnetic emulator communicates information to themagnetic card reader when a swipe is detected. Further, the display 102of the swipeable computer may show the card type for the active card.

In a further embodiment, the swipeable computer of the present inventionis combined with a mobile communication device that contains an image ofa card associated with the user account information. In this embodiment,if user account information for a Visa card is stored on the swipeablecomputer, the mobile communication device will contain an image of theVisa card. The combination of image with the swipeable computer may beimportant if a user is challenged by a merchant to prove that the userowns the original card. Also, the combination may be important if theuser is required to know the card verification value (CVV) (also calledthe card security code (CSC), card verification data (CVD), cardverification value code (CVVC), card verification code (CVC or CVC2),verification code (V-code or V code), card code verification (CCV), orsignature panel code (SPC)) that is printed on the card.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the techniques,structures and methods of the present invention above are exemplary. Thepresent inventions can be implemented in various embodiments withoutdeviating from the scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for detecting a swipe of aswipeable computer in a magnetic card reader comprising: providing theswipeable computer including: a display; a button; a wirelesscommunication unit; a power source; a dynamic magnetic emulator; acapacitive detector having an output; a switchable magnetic field sensorhaving an output; a memory unit storing a standard capacitance changeand a standard magnetic field change; and a logic unit electricallyconnected to the capacitive detector output, the switchable magneticfield sensor, the switchable magnetic field sensor output, and thememory unit; sensing with the capacitive detector a change incapacitance; determining with the logic unit if the change incapacitance corresponds to the standard capacitance change; enablingwith the logic unit the magnetic field sensor if the change incapacitance corresponds to the standard capacitance change; sensing withthe switchable magnetic field sensor a magnetic field change; anddetermining with the logic unit if the magnetic field change correspondsto the standard magnetic field change.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe sensing a change in capacitance step comprises sensing capacitivechanges with a plurality of capacitive sensors.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the sensing a change in capacitance step comprises sensingcapacitive changes with a plurality of capacitive sensors offset fromeach other in the swipe direction.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thestandard capacitance change is a change in capacitance associated withinitiation of a swipe in a standard magnetic card reader.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the standard magnetic field change is a change inmagnetic field associated with initiation of a swipe in a standardmagnetic card reader.
 6. A method for detecting a swipe of a swipeablecomputer in a magnetic card reader comprising: sensing a change incapacitance; determining if the change in capacitance corresponds to astandard capacitance change; enabling a magnetic field sensor if thechange in capacitance corresponds to the standard capacitance change;sensing a magnetic field change; and determining if the magnetic fieldchange corresponds to a standard magnetic field change.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the sensing a change in capacitance step comprisessensing capacitive changes with a plurality of capacitive sensors. 8.The method of claim 6, wherein the sensing a change in capacitance stepcomprises sensing capacitive changes with a plurality of capacitivesensors offset from each other in the swipe direction.
 9. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the standard capacitance change is a change incapacitance associated with initiation of a swipe in a standard magneticcard reader.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the standard magneticfield change is a change in magnetic field associated with initiation ofa swipe in a standard magnetic card reader.
 11. A method for detecting amotion of a swipeable computer comprising: sensing a change incapacitance; determining if the change in capacitance corresponds to astandard capacitance change; enabling a magnetic field sensor if thechange in capacitance corresponds to the standard capacitance change;sensing a magnetic field change; and determining if the magnetic fieldchange corresponds to a standard magnetic field change.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the sensing a change in capacitance step comprisessensing capacitive changes with a plurality of capacitive sensors. 13.The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing a change in capacitance stepcomprises sensing capacitive changes with a plurality of capacitivesensors offset from each other in the swipe direction.
 14. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the motion is a swipe in a magnetic card reader andthe standard capacitance change is a change in capacitance associatedwith initiation of a swipe in a standard magnetic card reader.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the motion is a swipe in a magnetic cardreader and the standard magnetic field change is a change in magneticfield associated with initiation of a swipe in a standard magnetic cardreader.